Over the last year, I have focused my research on the background, experiences, and beliefs of people of color over the age of 18 who identify as atheist, agnostic, secular-humanist, non-theist and/or free thinking. I have managed to collect a number of interviews, and this summer, I’m fine-tuning my research a bit and seeking interviews with Black women who are non-believers (or atheist, agnostic, freethinker, bright, secular humanist, etc) in the U.S. If this describes you, would you consider taking part in this study?

Women who wish to participate will be asked to take part in an interview, either via Skype or phone. Interviews will be conducted until the end of July 2013, and should last between thirty and sixty minutes approximately. Participants will be asked questions about the development of a non-theist identity and about community and family reception of that identity. I’ll also ask about activism and any experience organizing with other atheists.

All interviews will remain confidential and subjects will be given a pseudonym.

If you have questions about this study, or if you wish to participate, please send an email to creeksj@hollins.edu.

This research has been approved by the Human Research Review Committee of Hollins University. For further information about research participant rights, you can reach the Human Research Review Committee chair, Anna Baynum at (540) 362-6000.

For participants from Summer 2012’s round of interviews, I am still in the writing process. Academe is slowwwwwww, you may have noticed. But I expect to submit my first manuscript for review in the coming few weeks. Interested in reading what I’ve written and providing feedback? Please send me an email!